This blog is an ongoing love letter to our children, their birthmothers, their grandparents on both sides of the continent, and our extended family and friends.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Surprise Visits, Helping Hands, and Inspiring Words of Support

Monday, September 23 – Late Sunday night, our friend from
church Marshadae and her son Myron came by for an overnight slumber party. He
looks cute in Eliza’s pink PJs. Too bad we didn’t get pictures to ensure that Marcus
behaves himself (or else) sometime down the road! After we picked up the Kia from the shop, Hallie and Marshadae spent most of the day together getting her situated with help from some branch members and ladies from the Moms Club. By the evening, everyone was settled into their new home.

The kids are making progress in school. Landon has reviewed
the sight words a, I, am, see, and the, the numbers 1-10, and the letters A
through P. Eliza is becoming a little chatterbox as she continues learning to
use nouns to describe what she wants and works on her gross and fine motor
skills.

He said to say this reads, "I love Mom. I did this in kindergarten. I love Dad."

A proof of his kindergarten photo

Tuesday, September 24 – We had a full day of school and work
and errands to run. Eliza spent part of the day with Nadia having fun tooling
around in the car with Hallie.

Wednesday, September 25 – Eliza went to speech, but both
kids missed their afternoon activities. Mike helped at a yard clean-up service
project in the late afternoon until dusk, and then he spotted Hallie as she attended
Eliza’s Back-to-School night.

Thursday, September 26 – Another pretty routine day. After
we dropped off the kids, we were able to go to the gym. Then Mike worked and Hallie
took care of business for the home, including a Costco run.

Sibling love among the bulk mayonnaise jars

Mike had a visitor to his office window during class. Maybe it was attracted by the snowflake.

Friday, September 27 – Hallie had several activities in the
morning after she took Eliza to school. Mike mostly graded papers and did other
school work. Then they both had visits for church. After some time riding in the back alley, pizza, and a movie in
the evening, Dad took the kids out camping in the back yard. Hallie slept well
in the house tonight. Mike, not so much. Happily, however, he did sleep better
than the last campout.

Catching some air

Let the party begin!

Saturday, September 28 – Hallie took Landon to a make-up gymnastics
class for the one he missed Wednesday. This might be a better day to do the
class generally! Eliza kept Mike entertained with LEGO creations.

We got a bit of a scare when a sister from Diamond's mission called to say Diamond was in the ER with what could be a gall bladder infection.

Later on, Mike took the kids down to Landon’s school for the
Defer F4 (Fall Family Fun Festival) Fundraiser (should it be F5 then?) while
Hallie helped out Marshadae with some paperwork.

Not many kindergartners can ring the bell. This one can!

Hallie, Marshadae, and the kids later went to the Salvation
Army store to price out beds and couches for Marshadae’s new apartment. After
everyone got home, we had a big spaghetti dinner and then the ladies watched
the General Relief Society Meeting broadcast while Mike helped get the kids
settled down for bed.

Sunday, September 29 – After such beautiful weather all week
long, we woke to red skies and the threat of rain from the west. After church,
we had on-and-off showers for the rest of the day and spent a quiet day indoors
at home. The kids had a harder time than usual keeping from getting into each
other’s business. At least the cat was quiet and well-behaved. Jen came by in the afternoon with fun owl cupcakes for dessert. Thanks!